Washington(The COW News Digital)The White House has stated that the crew of a Russian vessel seized by US forces will face legal action, following the interception of the ship for allegedly attempting to evade restrictions linked to Venezuela. The announcement was made during a press briefing after the vessel was taken into custody in the Atlantic Ocean.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt addressed questions regarding the seizure of the oil tanker, saying the United States remains fully committed to enforcing all applicable sanctions. She confirmed that legal proceedings would now be initiated against the crew of the detained vessel, emphasizing Washington’s determination to uphold international and US sanctions regimes.
Leavitt noted that the United States will not allow sanctioned activities to undermine its policies, adding that enforcement measures are being applied consistently. The Russian vessel had reportedly been under surveillance for an extended period before being intercepted by the US Navy and Coast Guard.
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During the same briefing, the White House spokesperson also commented on broader foreign policy issues, stating that all options remain on the table regarding Greenland, although diplomacy would always be Washington’s preferred first approach.
Addressing the situation in Venezuela, Leavitt said the Trump administration is in close contact with Venezuela’s interim authorities. She claimed that decisions made by the interim leadership are being coordinated in line with US guidance. According to her statement, Washington is actively working on agreements involving Venezuela and the American oil industry to ensure compliance with US interests.
Leavitt further disclosed that executives from major oil companies are expected to visit the White House later this week. She added that President Donald Trump retains the authority to deploy US military forces if necessary to ensure the safety of American oil workers operating in sensitive environments.
On questions related to Venezuela’s electoral timeline, the White House spokesperson said it would be premature to comment, indicating that discussions on elections were not yet a priority in the current phase of engagement.
According to international news agencies, the Russian vessel had previously attempted to bypass the naval blockade around Venezuela. US naval forces and the Coast Guard had reportedly tracked the ship for a considerable time and had made earlier attempts to seize it before successfully intercepting it in recent operations.
The incident underscores heightened tensions surrounding enforcement actions linked to Venezuela and broader geopolitical rivalries involving Russia and the United States. Analysts say the seizure reflects Washington’s increasingly assertive approach toward sanction enforcement and maritime security in strategic regions.
